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The AngelsFriendship, the key to the success of the “Three Amigos” of Mexican cinema
Filmmakers Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro attended Netflix’s “Three Amigos in Conversation” party on January 6.
From left to right, directors Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro.
AFP
Called the “Three Amigos”, in reference to an American film featuring three vigilantes in Mexico, directors Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro Inarritu and Alfonso Cuaron have accumulated numerous Oscars together and contributed to a golden age of Mexican cinema. At an event on Friday in Los Angeles honoring their films, the three acolytes told AFP that their longtime friendship has been an essential ingredient in their respective success.
The bond that unites the directors – born a few years apart – goes back several decades. “I sincerely think that it was crucial… For us, not being alone in our work is a very nice gift”, reacts Alejandro Inarritu. “Whether we talk to each other or not, I know that the other two are there no matter what,” adds Alfonso Cuaron. “Sometimes you even avoid asking their opinion! You say to yourself, ‘I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing because I know what they’re going to tell me,’” laughs Guillermo del Toro.
Collaboration with Netflix
In 2018, Alfonso Cuaron – the eldest of the trio – caused a stir in Hollywood following his collaboration with Netflix to create “Roma”, an intimate black-and-white drama that won him his second Best Director Oscar (following “Gravity “). Alejandro Inarritu and Guillermo del Toro recently followed suit by agreeing to partner with the streaming giant.
According to Alejandro Inarritu, who won back-to-back Oscars with ‘Birdman or (The Surprising Virtue of Ignorance)’ and ‘The Revenant’, Netflix gave him the opportunity to direct his most personal film to date.
The sprawling and dreamlike “BARDO, false chronicle of a handful of truths” follows a famous Mexican journalist as he explores the blurred boundaries between reality and memory, life and death, the United States and Mexico. The main character of the film is even awarded a prestigious world prize by an American institution, not without evoking a parallel with the career of the “three amigos”.
The secret to their success?
For Guillermo del Toro, the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director for “The Shape of Water” in 2018 “changed his life”: “It was beautiful. And it was very, very, very upsetting.” His latest film, a dark take on the famous tale “Pinocchio,” is tipped to win Best Animation awards at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards next week. He might also be an Oscar favorite in March.
The secret to their success? “Our desire for tacos perhaps, that’s what we have in common…”, replies, in a pirouette, Alejandro Inarritu. “I think it’s humor,” retorts Guillermo del Toro in turn, before adding: “And good breath!”
(AFP)
